Maharashtra's Common Entrance Test 2014 for MCA (Online MAH-MCA-CET) on March 30

The Directorate of Technical Education (DTE), Maharashtra, has released the notification for Maharashtra's Master of Computer Application (MCA) for applications to First Year/ Direct Second Year (Separate Division and Lateral Entry Scheme) of the Three Year Full Time Post Graduate Degree course in the Government, Government-Aided, University Departments, University Managed and Unaided Institutes in the state of Maharashtra (MAH).

The website for registration, application, publication of result, and publication of final merit list is www.dtemaharashtra.gov.in/mca2014.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible, you must have completed a Bachelor's degree with at least 45%. If you fall under the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe category, the minimum percentage required is 40%. The Bachelor's degree must at least have a duration of three years. If you are from Maharashtra, you have to attend all three sessions of the CET, Group Discussion (GD), and Personal Interview (PI). Fifteen percent of the seats are reserved for students from other states. If you are not from Maharashtra, you can apply with your score in CAT, JMET, MAT, or ATMA. You will be selected upon clearing the Group Discussion and Personal Interview round. If you are in your final year of graduation, you are also eligible to apply for the CET.

If you have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Application (BCA), or Computer Science (BCS), or of Science (Computer/Information Technology), then you don't have to have studied Mathematics or Statistics at the twelfth grade level, and you will be eligible for admission into the First Year or Direct Second Year scheme.

Exam pattern and syllabus

The MAH-MCA-CET 2014 will only be conducted as a computer-based online examination, and will be held in different sessions, in multiple examination centers. It will be in English, and translation into any other language will not be available.

The questions will be multiple choice questions, and will use a standardized equi-percentile method of grading, which will be used across examination sessions. The MAH-MCA-CET 2014 consists of two tests, the first being a General Aptitude test (GA), and the second being based on Computer Concepts (CC) of 100 marks each, and lasting 90 minutes. Each paper will consist of 25 questions.

There will be negative marking in the MAH-MCA-CET 2014. Each correct answer awards four marks, and each negative answer results in a penalty of one mark. Questions that are left unanswered carry zero marks, and will not be counted.

The General Aptitude test will cover high school mathematics concepts and English. The topics that will appear in the GA test are:

Logical Reasoning Probability

Quantitative Reasoning Statistics

Vocabulary Arithmetic

Comprehension Basic Sets

Verbal Ability Mensuration

Algebra Computer Basics

Co-ordinate Geometry Data Representation

Differential Equations Computer Architecture

Trigonometry Computer Language

Functions Operating System Basics

Application procedure

The application form is available online, and can also be purchased from the Axis Bank of Maharashtra. The application form processing fee is to be paid at particular branches of Axis Bank in cash, through Pay-In-Slip. The fees can also be paid online through Internet payment or through the Credit/Debit Card payment gateway, for which service charges are also applicable. These are the only modes of payment, and no other form of payment will be accepted. Applications that are sent by post or by courier will also not be considered.